Brighton leading race to sign Manchester City star and Under-21 European Championship winner

Manchester City are willing to loan out young star Cole Palmer with Brighton reportedly leading the race for his signature.

Palmer has struggled for game time since making his City debut three years ago, starting just seven games last season, and only two in the Premier League, despite being a near-ever present in the match-day squads.

Despite this, Pep Guardiola has no intention of selling the 21-year-old this summer, as it is believed he could flourish into a great player for his boyhood club in the future.

The forward certainly has talent, which he recently demonstrated as part of England’s triumphant side at the Under-21 European Championships.

He scored once and recorded three assists to finish as the tournament’s joint-top creator alongside teammate and Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

In the past, City have been reluctant to loan out their best young players in order to oversee their development closer to home, as was the case with Phil Foden, but are more open to doing so following James McAtee’s successful spell at Sheffield United.

According to The Telegraph, the Citizens have made Palmer available for loan, with many clubs, both in England and abroad, very interested in his services.

Brighton are said to be the frontrunners to sign him ahead of Leicester who are now coached by former City assistant manager Enzo Maresca.

The Seagulls may well have the advantage due to them being able to offer both Premier League and Europa League football as opposed to the Championship Foxes.

Furthermore, it is known that Guardiola is a huge fan of Roberto De Zerbi’s style of play and would prefer his players to learn under someone like him if they are to be loaned out.

So far this summer, City have signed just one player – Mateo Kovacic – but remain closely linked with Bundesliga defenders Josko Gvardiol and Benjamin Pavard.

Ilkay Gundogan is their only major departure, but there is much speculation surrounding the futures of Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez, with the latter linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.

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‘Pump the brakes’: Journalist pours cold water over Liverpool signing 21-year-old

Gab Marcotti has poured cold water over Chelsea transfer target and Brighton star Moises Caicedo joining Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool if Jordan Henderson and Fabinho leave this summer.

There is every chance that the latter happens because Saudi Arabia, with their big wad of cash, are banging on Liverpool’s door and they want Jordan Henderson and Fabinho on board.

Whilst the Reds have already added two new faces to their midfield this summer – Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai – surely another big-name will have to arrive if they lose their experienced duo.

That’s where Moises Caicedo comes into the picture, but for European football expert Marcotti, it’s a ‘no-brainer’ to sign the 21-year-old ‘if the price is right’, but he feels that fans should ‘pump the brakes with this one’, as he told ESPN.

Those on Merseyside do spend, but when you compare their spending to their rivals, such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, then all four are streets ahead.

So, with FSG putting money down on the table already this summer, if Henderson and Fabinho go, just how far are they willing to push the boat out for a Caicedo?

“It’s a no-brainer if you can get him (Caicedo) at the right price,” said Marcotti. “But, at the risk of being proven wrong, I think we should pump the brakes a little bit on this.

“This story comes from Caicedo’s people. Obviously, there is still a major and significant difference between what Chelsea is offering Caicedo. Chelsea, who they have been talking to for a very long time, and what Brighton want.

“It’s easy to say, ‘Oh, if they sell Henderson for £40 million, then Fabinho for £60 million and you can go and buy Caicedo’. That’s a long, long way away from that happening.

“I get a little sceptical about this, but if they can do it, then more power to them and you tip your hat off to them. But I think there is a long way to go for the pieces to fall into place given the money Liverpool have already spent this summer.”

Caicedo would be an outstanding signing

You could argue that it would be the final piece in the Liverpool midfield jigsaw if they signed Caicedo this summer.

A player that showed incredible development last season, the hard-hitting midfielder would rightfully be able to claim that he could sit in Liverpool’s midfield and start for them straight away.

Of course, in an ideal world, the fans would love Caicedo to join, as well as Fabinho and Henderson to stay, but FSG have never been built that way.